The Challenger 55 is the first in a new series of expedition mega yachts ranging up to 90 meters and is designed to operate in some of the world’s harshest and most remote locations for up to 25 days without shore support.

With a voluminous design of 1,300GT of internal space, there enough room for as many as 12 guests and 16 crew. Dr. Hudson’s and Captain Murray’s experience working on expeditions for the BBC played into the Challenger 55’s flexibility. It can be easily adapted for use as a commercial oil and gas survey vessel, science and research charter vessel or a media production platform. It will also be able to collect plastic from the sea.

As a superyacht, it has a full-beam owner’s suite with a private lounge situated on the upper deck. Five additional en-suite double cabins are on the main deck, while the lower deck is split between crew quarters, workshops, technical spaces and an on-board laboratory.

Proposed as a Lloyd’s classed yacht built from a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, the Challenger 55’s dynamic positioning system would allow mooring in environmentally sensitive areas without dropping anchor. Other key features include an aft-deck helipad, submarine launching capability via an integrated A-frame and a large tender garage. The vessel has an estimated top speed of 14.5 knots, a range of 6,000 nautical miles and zero-speed stabilizers to ensure smooth cruising.